LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Policing will increase this spring at the Michigan Capitol, but officials say they have no plans to add metal detectors.
State police will bring more personnel to the Capitol area and enhance its technology as well, according to the Detroit Free Press (https://on.freep.com/1odfFY0 ). That includes making better use of video camera monitoring and introducing thermal imaging to spot intruders in parking lots and outside the Capitol after dark.
State police presence at the Capitol peaked at 73 in 1978, dropping to about 28 by 2000 and eight in 2012, Capt. Joseph Gasper testified at a recent legislative hearing. For 2014, the Legislature increased Capitol security spending from $677,000 to $2.4 million.
First Lt. Brody Boucher says there now are 14 officers on duty now and will be 25 in the next several months.
“This is the people’s house, and we take that very seriously,” Boucher said.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 23 state capitols in the U.S. had metal detectors installed at their entrances in 2008. Texas and Maine are among states that have installed metal detectors since that survey was completed, and Connecticut opted to add them in January, the newspaper said.
“At the end of the day, it is rather intrusive and there isn’t the willingness to go to those lengths,” Gasper told lawmakers when asked about metal detectors. “From a security standpoint, that would be fantastic.”
Candace Kott of Comstock Park was visiting the Capitol on Thursday with twin 9-year-old sons Lucas and Eric as she chaperoned children from Pine Island Elementary School. She said she prefers the absence of metal detectors.
“I like the fact that it’s still on the honor system,” said Kott. “You just trust the fact that it’s being patrolled and you have staff that are trained.”
State police share responsibility with other agencies, including the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget; the House and Senate sergeants; some private security guards; and Lansing police, Boucher said.
He said that a bicycle patrol discontinued in 2010 will start up again once the weather warms and will likely have four bicycles.
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Information from: Detroit Free Press, https://www.freep.com
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